Cornet supporting stand



Jan. 12, 1960 L. M. cARLlNl 2,920,851

CORNET SUPPORTING STAND Filed April 22, 195s 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

3/ /5 M. CL//V/ BY o @D /50 WM UM@ Jan. 12, 1960 L. M. cARLxNl 2,920,851

CORNET SUPPORTING STAND Filed April' 22, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

00/5 M. CARU/w /r BY W10. MMM@ ATTORNEY United States Patent() 2,920,851i i `CORNET SUPPORTING STAND Louis M. Carlini, Paterson, NJ. VApplication April 22, 195s, serial No. 130,213

9 claims. (c1. 24a-171)4 This invention relates to a stand forsupporting a musical instrument such as a cornet.

The invention has among its objects the provision of a novel collapsiblestand for supporting a musical instrument such ras a cornet.

Another object of the invention is the provisionof an improvedcollapsible stand of the type indicated which is simple and rugged inconstruction, and which is easily collapsed and extended.

`Yet another object lies in the provision of an instru- .ment supportingstand which cushions the instrument while the latter is being placed onthe stand, and which is cushioned against damage either to it or to theinstrument upon the imposition of tipping forces upon the instrument.

The above and further objects and novel features of the presentinvention will more fully appear from the following detailed descriptionwhen the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. Itis to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for thepurpose of illustration only and are not intended as'a definition of thelimits of the invention. Reference for this latter purpose being hadprimarily to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters referto like partsthroughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of an illustrative embodiment of thestand of the invention with a cornet mounted thereon,.the wall of thehorn of the instrument facing the reader being broken away to show thestand;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the stand in collapsed condition;l

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the stand in extendedcondition, portions of the foot members being broken away, the upperportion of the stand being shown in vertical section along line 3 3 ofFig. 5 and the intermediate portion of the stand being shown in verticalsection along line 3 3 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the stand showing itscooperation with the horn of a cornet, certain parts of the stand beingbroken away;

Fig. 5 is a view in plan of the instrument bracing means of the stand,the view being taken from line 5 5 yof Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view in horizontal section through the extendedstand, thesection being taken along line 6 6 of Fig. 3;

. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in bottom plan of the extended stand, and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in plan of the extended stand.

The stand of the invention is designed to receive musical horns such ascomets and the like. It is adapted for use by a musician who vwishes tosupport his instrument within easy reach when the instrument istemporarily not being played.

. For such purpose, it is desirable'that the stand be compact even whenextended, that it be easily collapsible, and not scratch or mar theinstrument. The stand of the present invention combines thesecharacteristics. In addition, it is simple, rugged, is economical tomake, and further, provides a desirable cushioning of the instrument asit is placed on the stand, and cushions the stand and instrument againstdamage from tipping forces applied thereto.

The supporting device of the invention is generally designated by thereference character 10. In Fig. 1 it is shown in operative position,supporting a cornet, which is generally designated 11. The bell mouthportion of the cornet, with which the supporting device coa'cts, isgenerally designated 12.

The supporting device has a main column or standard 14 of heavy rod-likeform. The lower end of standard 14 has four equally angularly spacedears 15 thereon, as indicated in Fig. 7, to which are pivotally securedfour similar elongated members 16. Members 16 extend generally radiallyoutwardly from the bottom of standard 14 and act as feet when thesupporting device is in opera'- tive position (Fig. 4) and are folded toextend alongside the standard when the supporting device is collapsed(Fig. 2).

The pivotal'connection between each of members 16 and standard '14 ismade up of one of the aforesaid ears 15 on the standard, upstandingopposed side flanges 17 attached to the sides of member 16 and receivingan ear 15 therebetween, and a pivot pin 19 extending through flanges 17and ear 15. For reasons to appear hereinafter, the radially inner ends20 of foot members 16 extend inwardly beneath the lower end of standard14 when members 16 are extended in operative position. The pivot pins 19are preferably so located relative to the lower surface 21 of standard14 that ends 2t) of members 16 engage surface 21 to form a stop againstfurther downward pivoting of members 16 when members 16 have pivoteddownwardly slightly past a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 4. Toallow the inner ends 20 of members 16 closely to interit whenextended,vthey are preferably bevelled, as shown at 22 in Fig. 7.

The foot members 16 are selectively moved into the extended position ofFig. 4 and retracted therefrom into the position of Fig. 2 by thefollowing mechanism. A sleeve member 24 embraces standard 14 and isslidable therealong. Attached to member 24 are the upper ends of fourleaf springs 25 which are located in the respective radial planes of themembers 16. The upper ends of the springs are disposed in shallowvertically extending grooves in member 24; a ferrule 26 overlies theends of the springs in such grooves, and it and the ends of the springsbeneath it are secured to sleeve member 24 by pins 27.

The lower ends of springs 25, which are curled to provide pin receivingformations 29, are received between opposed upstanding flanges 30 onside plate members secured to the respective foot members 16intermediate the length thereof. A pivot pin 31 extending throughflanges 30 and formation 29 secures the lower end of each spring 25 toits member 16.

The leaf springs 25 connect sleeve member 24 to foot members 16 so thatthe foot members are extended or retracted simultaneously by movement ofthe sleeve member downwardly or upwardly, respectively, along standard14. The springs 25 preferably have a generally straight relaxedconfiguration, so that when sleeve member. 24 is released from theposition of Fig. 4 the springs tend to thrust the sleeve member upwardlya substantial extent toward its position in Fig. 2, and in the positionof Fig. 2 the springs lie generally flat and close to standv ard 14.v Inthe extended position of the supporting device shown in Pig. 4, thesprings 25 are resiliently bowed i inwardly to a substantial degree,whereby -lirmly but yieldingly to urge the foot members 16 into theirextended position. Sleeve member v24 may selectively be held in itsdownwardly position I"(Fig.-4)-`fbyia"spring biased latchmernber'32.MemberZthas abody^"sl`idab'le radially of standard 14 ina bore34`therein-and-f`is urged outwardly by a coil compression-springl-SS.The nose or outer end portion of member-32`overlies theupper edge ofsleeve 24 when thestandis extended, v'as-shown in Fig. 4, therebyretaining the stand inlesuch position. The stand may be released inorder to collapse t,f f-by pressing latch members -32 'linwa'r'dlyandi'sliding "sle'eve 'member 24 upwardly' pastit. Extensionof Lthestandfrom the collapsed position of 'Figlftothefully extended position ofFig. 4 may be effected#simplyby-Kpllingithe upper '(Fig, 2) yend's ofopposite footnierbers-1G-away sleeve 24 overlies a substantial length ofthe -iinglers'44 Yof "bracing meansl 36, preferably at least--tothelevel at which the ngers lie avmaximum distance radially away from theaxis of body 37. As a result, the lingers are collapsed into the shapeshown in Fig. 2, the outer n surfaces of the fingers lying no furtheroutward than along standard 14. A cam -g'roove'36 inthe-'in'ner` sur--face of sleeve 24 atthe lower end thereof iri'laligr'irnent with latchmember 32A permitslthe-sleevelautomatically to depre'ssthe latchmemberandltor-ride`- over it-inthe Adownward travel of such sleeve.

yAs shown most clearly in Figi 3,- the'-is'tandofi'the invention isadapted to receive av bell mouthed musical instrument in uprightposition, andto `retain linstably in such position. The upper end ofthestandardf14 tits upwardly within the neck of the instrument for asubstantial distance, and engages the finnersurfaceithereof to hold theinstrument from tipping. The main'lweight of the instrument is bornebyrtheleaf1springs'25,.-.upon which the bell mouth 12 of theinstrumentrests. Y-In order to steady the instrument and to retainit `withouttipping, a bracing means generally designated 36 lis-provided at theupper end of the 'standard':14"to"engage and center the inner wall ofthehorn ofthe instrument relative to standard 14. The construction andfunction of bracing means 36 will be moretreadily apparent ,uponconsideration of Figs. 3,- 4,` and 5. As 'shown in,Fig.'=3, means 36 ismade in the forrn of afsub-assembly which is secured to the top ofstandard :.14. Theisub-assembly has a body 37 having a central stem39thereon'received in an axial bore 44)'in vthe upper.end-.offstar'rdardy 14.

Body 37`is retained on the standard'by apin`41 extend- 'i ing throughitand the ,stem 39. vTheupper end of 'body 37 has three equallyspacedlongitudinally extending slots 42 therein, as shown in Fig, 5.-Su'chslotsreceive instrument-bracing spring Iingers44. The lower ends.of fingers 44 are rmly secured on body 37 by a sleeveor ferrule 45overlying them and secured tothemand body 37 as by pins (not shown).The' outer diameter'offerrule 45 is the `same as that of standard 14.The springfngers arev in the form' of leaf-springs vlongitudinallycurved-in section so as to conform generally to the inner `surface ofthehorn of the instrument whichl theyconfront. `Fingers 44 have a relaxed:shape longitudinal-ly ythereof which is shown in Fig. 3. Above thegenerally .straight lower end portion underlying sleeve 45 each lingercurves the outer surface of sleeve 45.

To prevent scratchingand marring of the inner surface of the horn `ofthe instrument, the upper surfaces of springs 25and'the'outer'surfacesof "spring fingers 44 are preferably provided withcoatingsjof :soft material such as cork, felt, or the like. In theembodiment shown a coating 47 ofcork iscemented to`each-ispiin'gl25, anda layer of cork 49 isfcemented towthe vouter surface of each springfinger 44. Such coating on fingers 44 is further of advantage inproviding appreciable friction between the ngers 44 and sleeve 24 tooppose movement of the sleeve downwardly from the collapsed position ofthefstand shown iniFig.- 2. yThus ltheflstandi remains stably in itscollapsedipo'sit'ionmuntil#itliislfdeliberately extended. Y Afterthe-s'leeve`24hasibeenl moved downwa'rdly on body 37A and standard#f14lsucently'fto-*move below ngers 44, however, thesleeve?slidesismeo'thlyto permit-the facile-erection-of-ithe stand.vUpon-release ofthe sleeve 24 -fronithe position of Fig.A 3," thesprings 25 tend to fstraighten/andtofmove therparts towardftco'l lapsedposition.

-As noted inconnection with Fig.-'3l1thebottorn surfaces -of oppositefoot members" 16 lie latan angle with respect to each other when'thereisno load on the stand. A typical value of a is 17.7. Such arrangement -isadvantageous in that it provides the stand with a cushioning effect whena load such as an instrument is imposed thereon, the foot membersfl=then\pivotingffslightly so that their bottomslie flat on theAfloor'fSO. The :springs 25 provide an additional cushioning -leffe'ctupon thefinstrument as it` isfplaced onfthestand, since :they yieldsomewhatfdownwardly as theyare -frsti engaged vby `the bell of the horn.Should the stand or'the 'stand with the instrument mounted thereon besubjectedtoatipping force applied to the'upper end thereof, vthe'footmember or members in line with such force will yieldfsomewhat and-pivot'upwardly to a small ydegree about .pivot pins 19. This prevents the'impositionl'of damaging forces upon either the stand or'the instrument.v

Although'only a limited number'ofiemb'o'diments of the invention havebeen illustrated in-the'faccompanying drawings and described in theforegoing"specification, it isto be expressly understood'thatvariouschanges, such as in the relative dimensions of thep'arts, fma'terialsused, and the like, as well as the :suggested manner'of use of theapparatus of`r thefi'nventiom may` be made therein withoutl departingfromthevspirit' andscope of the invention as will nowA beapparent toithosell skilled smoothly upwardly and outwardlyfrom the axis of body 37and then inwardly again, the general shape of the ngers'being roughlyVpart-circular. Thel upper, inwardly directed ends of fingers 44 arespaced somewhat radially outwardly of body 37 when they-are relaxed, andlie above the bottom of a central slotted`fportion'46'at the Y upper endof body 37. When-the fingers arecollapsed as shown in Fig. 2 thebodiesof vthe-fingers'lie mainly in slots 42 and the upperinwardlydirectedfends Vthereof lie in slot 46. The relaxed congurat-ionoffingers v44is such that they then lie somewhatfradiallyY outwardly `oftheir positions when operativelyengaged with the'iinner surface of thehorn ofthe instrument (Eig-4). --Thus the lingers resiliently engage*the horn tomaintain it stably in place on the stand. t

-The length of the standard' 14lis such, 'and' theipar'ts` are soarranged that whenthestnd isieollapsd the in the art. l

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible supportadapted'to receive thehorn of a musicalinstrument; said supportieor'npris'ing a vertical standard, `a'pluralityof-generally`` radially disposed foot members spaced angularlyaboutthejstandard and pivotally connected attheir inner endsto theilowerend of the standard, a sleeve slidable along the standard labovesuchwpivotal c'onnection,`eln'gted leaf .spring members interposed 'ibetween' the sleeve' andthe foot members at vlocations spaced fromthe,lower-end`;'of the standard, stop means to retain the footmembers`in an extended position, wherein their lower surfacesfzlie y generallyin the transverse plane containing the lower end of theVstandard,and-meansato =retainfthe-sleevein ailoweredpositionwh'enf'the'footirnernbersiare extended, the lowered positionofthe"sleevebeing `such that the elongated leaf spring-rnembersl=areresilientlyf bowed inwardly toward the lower end of the standa`rd\,the HP1-3er surface of -jsaidibowe'dY spring members-serving tofsupportthe lower bell surface of the horn of an inverted musical instrument.

2. A collapsible support adapted to hold a horned musical instrument ininverted upright position, said support comprising a vertical standardadapted to have the upper end thereof inserted upwardly into the horn ofthe inverted instrument, a plurality of foot members spaced angularlyabout the standard and pivotally connected at their inner ends to thelower end of the standard, said foot members being pivotable from aretracted position, in which they lie close alongside and generallyparallel to the standard, to an extended position, in which they lieextended generally in the transverse plane containing the lower end ofthe standard, stop means at the lower end of the standard to retain thefoot members in said extended position, a sleeve slidable along thestandard, elongated spring members interposed between the sleeve and thefoot members at locations spaced from the base of the standard, andmeans to retain the sleeve in a lowered position when the foot membersare extended, the flowered position of the sleeve being such that theelongated spring members are resiliently bowed, the upper surface .ofsaid bowed spring members serving to support the lower bell surface ofthe horn of an inverted musical instrument.

3. A collapsible support as defined in claim 2, said support comprisingbracing means disposed adjacent the upper end of the standard andadapted to engage the surface of an inner part of the horn of theinstrument when the outer end portion of the horn rests upon saidelongated spring members.

4. A collapsible support as defined in claim 3, wherein the leaf springmembers are pivotally connected to the foot members, and the connectionsbetween the upper ends of the leaf spring members and the sleeve aresuch that, when the sleeve is in its lowered position, the leaf springmembers are bowed inwardly.

5. A collapsible support as dened in claim 3, wherein the bracing meanscomprises a plurality of elongated spring fingers attached to thestandard and angularly spaced thereabout.

6. A collapsible support as defined in claim 5, wherein the springfingers are collapsible radially inwardly of the standard, and thesleeve at least partially overlies the spring fingers to collapse themwhen the sleeve is raised to collapse the foot members.

7. A collapsible support as dened in claim 6, wherein the spring fingershave a soft resilient coating on their outer surfaces, such coatinghaving a relatively high c oeicient of friction, whereby to servefrictionally to retard the sleeve from downward movement when it is inits upper, stand-collapsed, position.

8. A collapsible support as defined in claim 2, wherein the stop meansretains the foot members in their fully extended, substantiallyunloaded, position in which they extend downwardly past a planetransverse to the standard at a small angle with respect to such plane,such foot member being free to pivot upwardly with respect to thestandard in response to the imposition of a force thereto whichoverpowers its respective leaf spring member.

9. A collapsible support as defined in claim 8, wherein said stop meansacting between the standard and the foot members are disposed at thepivotal connection between the standard and the foot members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,043,530 Millar Nov. 5, 1912 1,268,363 Lamont June 4, 1918 FOREIGNPATENTS 93,140 Sweden Oct. 31, 1938

